Andhra CM dies in chopper crash

Andhra Pradesh chief minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy has died in an air crash. The bodies of 60-year-old Reddy, who led his Congress party to a spectacular second consecutive victory in the Lok Sabha and Assembly polls and his Special Secretary P Subramanyam, chief security officer A S C Wesley, pilot Group Captain S K Bhatia and co-pilot M S Reddy were found on Rudrakonda Hill besides the mangled remains of the helicopter.

Andhra Pradesh chief minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy has died in an air crash. The bodies of 60-year-old Reddy, who led his Congress party to a spectacular second consecutive victory in the Lok Sabha and Assembly polls and his Special Secretary P Subramanyam, chief security officer A S C Wesley, pilot Group Captain S K Bhatia and co-pilot M S Reddy were found on Rudrakonda Hill besides the mangled remains of the helicopter. (AP)

There was no official confirmation of the deaths, but highly placed Congress sources in Delhi said that the bodies have been found. An official statement is expected shortly. A scheduled meeting of the Union Cabinet was cancelled following the tragedy.

There was no official confirmation of the deaths, but highly placed Congress sources in Delhi said that the bodies have been found. An official statement is expected shortly. A scheduled meeting of the Union Cabinet was cancelled following the tragedy. (AP)

Nearly 24 hours after YSR's chopper went missing, it was located atop Serai Salem hill, at a distance 40 nautical miles (70 kms) east of Kurnool. The CM left Hyderabad on a six-seater Bell chopper at 8.35am for Chittoor accompanied by his secretary and chief security officer. After 9:27am, radio contact was lost with the helicopter.

Nearly 24 hours after YSR's chopper went missing, it was located atop Serai Salem hill, at a distance 40 nautical miles (70 kms) east of Kurnool. The CM left Hyderabad on a six-seater Bell chopper at 8.35am for Chittoor accompanied by his secretary and chief security officer. After 9:27am, radio contact was lost with the helicopter. (AP/Mahesh Kumar A)

Soon after the chopper lost contact, multiple agencies of the state launched a massive hunt for possible wreckage in the desolate terrain. By evening, it expanded into the country's biggest-ever search operation with satellites in the sky joining remote sensing aircraft, fighter jets, unmanned aerial vehicles, troops on the ground and even barefoot deer-hunting tribals with bows and arrows.

Soon after the chopper lost contact, multiple agencies of the state launched a massive hunt for possible wreckage in the desolate terrain. By evening, it expanded into the country's biggest-ever search operation with satellites in the sky joining remote sensing aircraft, fighter jets, unmanned aerial vehicles, troops on the ground and even barefoot deer-hunting tribals with bows and arrows. (PTI)

State of Andhra Pradesh Director General of Police (DGP) S.S.P. Yadav (L) explains the location of the missing helicopter to minister Ponna Lakshmaiah during a press conference at the Secretariate in Hyderabad on September 2, 2009. A helicopter carrying a YSR disappeared over a Maoist rebel-held area.

State of Andhra Pradesh Director General of Police (DGP) S.S.P. Yadav (L) explains the location of the missing helicopter to minister Ponna Lakshmaiah during a press conference at the Secretariate in Hyderabad on September 2, 2009. A helicopter carrying a YSR disappeared over a Maoist rebel-held area. (AFP/Noah Seelam)

In this file photo Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhar Reddy is seen with his family members. Reddy's helicopter is reported to be missing on its way from Karnool to Chitoor since September 2, 2009.

In this file photo Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhar Reddy is seen with his family members. Reddy's helicopter is reported to be missing on its way from Karnool to Chitoor since September 2, 2009. (PTI)